Children’s Trade Book Review The Other Side Kristin Halmi Introduction: Title: The Other Side Author: Jacqueline Woodson Illustrator: E.B. Lewis Publisher: G.P. Putman’s Sons Copyright date: 2001
Summary: This book is a story about a young African American girl who lives beyond the fence of a white girl. The girls spend much time not interacting with one another, but simply staring from the “other side” of the fence. Each of their parents instruct them that it is dangerous to cross the fence. The girls slowly begin hanging around the fence and playing together. The ending quote states: "Someday somebody's going to come along and knock this old fence down.”
Subject Areas, Content/Concepts, Vocabulary This book hits on culture. It shows the importance of coming together as different cultures and embracing one another. It shows the affects of racism and discrimination, by showing that two young children broke the barriers of society. Vocabulary: The “fence” is actually symbolizing a divide and separation needing to be broken. NCSS Themes, PA Standards: Themes: Culture, Time/Continuity/Change, People Places and Environment
Grade Level: The Other Side could be used in any grade, but could very effectively be used in 2-4. Using this book in a classroom: This book could be used in a variety of ways. However, I would use it as a read-aloud book. This would be used to teach the importance of accepting cultures and people’s differences. I would have the children share their thoughts after reading the book, and create a wall of different colored handprints to signify diversity and coming together.
The Other Side
Kristin Halmi
Introduction:
Title: The Other Side
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Publisher: G.P. Putman’s Sons
Copyright date: 2001
Summary:
This book is a story about a young African American girl who lives beyond the fence of a white girl. The girls spend much time not interacting with one another, but simply staring from the “other side” of the fence. Each of their parents instruct them that it is dangerous to cross the fence. The girls slowly begin hanging around the fence and playing together. The ending quote states: "Someday somebody's going to come along and knock this old fence down.”
Subject Areas, Content/Concepts, Vocabulary
This book hits on culture. It shows the importance of coming together as different cultures and embracing one another. It shows the affects of racism and discrimination, by showing that two young children broke the barriers of society.
Vocabulary: The “fence” is actually symbolizing a divide and separation needing to be broken.
NCSS Themes, PA Standards:
Themes: Culture, Time/Continuity/Change, People Places and Environment
Grade Level:
The Other Side could be used in any grade, but could very effectively be used in 2-4.
Using this book in a classroom:
This book could be used in a variety of ways. However, I would use it as a read-aloud book. This would be used to teach the importance of accepting cultures and people’s differences. I would have the children share their thoughts after reading the book, and create a wall of different colored handprints to signify diversity and coming together.